Electrical testing device



July 23, 1940. H N 2,209,1 19

ELECTRICAL TESTING DEVICE Filed May 19, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l I {I I I I 9 9 a l l l 1 1 w v5 2 I Z3 i, O I 2/ F I I I I F E 20 I I l6 2 I I I :!:l:; 22

I I g 1 M 2/ I I 4 I I I I /6 E E 24 E r i O ii Z Inventor A itorneys Patented July 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL 'rs s'rmo nnvrcn Joseph Ellsworth Hoil'man, High Bridge, N. J.

Application May 19, 1939, Serial No. 274,617

1 Claim.

This invention relates to electrical testing devices, and an object of the invention is to provide a device of this character embodying a flashlight having associated therewith contact means for 8 testing electrical devices, and which will be found handy for such purposes by electricians, radio repair men, electrical inspectors, and others similarly engaged and requiring a quick-testing device. The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof, with the parts arranged when the device is not in use.

Figure 3 is a view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a fragmentary view, somewhat similar to Figure 2 and showing the contact rod extended for use.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, it will be seen that in the preferred embodiment 9,5 thereof the device comprises a portable electric,

well-known type of flashlight 5, the same embodying a cylindrical casing 6 provided at one end with a reflector I, and a cover 8 having a lens 9 therein. The reflector is provided with a suitable lamp socket in which is secured an incandescent lamp Ill.

The socket portion la of the reflector I is provided with an integral contact flange H with which is electrically engaged, as shown in Figure 3, the contact bar l2 forming part of the flashlight switch indicated generally by the reference numeral IS.

The center contact ll of the bulb III is in contact with the center terminal ii of the two-cell battery, the cells lS-IG of which are connected in series.

On the opposite or other end of the flashlight casing 6 is a screw-threaded cap ll with which is engaged one end of helical spring l8 which latter is also engaged with the bottom end of one of the battery cells; the cap ll being screw-threadedly engaged with a peripheral threaded wall iii of conductive material and to which is riveted or otherwise secured a conductor rod 20' that extends from and forms a part of the casing of the switch i3.

Mounted on the periphery of the battery casing 6 and,extending longitudinally thereof is an elongated tubular or socket member 20 which 5 houses a sliding contact rod 2|. Rod 2| is provided with a manipulating button 2la, and to accommodate the button 2la, the casing or socket member is provided with a slot 22 whichat its opposite end is provided with lateral terminals or extensions 23, 24, to receive the button 2la in a manner to secure the contact rod 2| either in the retracted position shown in Figures 1 and 2, or the extended position shown in Figure 4.

At the upper or closed end thereof the tubular member or socket 20 is provided with an integral 1. contact prong 25 that is in electrical engagement with the contact flange ll of the lamp socket la as best shown in Figure 1.

Mounted on the crown of the cap I1 is a casing 26 in which is housed a spring actuated reel 21, the spring of which is shown at 21 and said reel has wound thereon a tape 28 of metal or other conductive material.

To use the device for testing an electrical apparatus, all that is necessary, as is believed to be obvious, is to project the contact rod 2| locking the same in projected position by engaging the manipulating button 22 thereof with the slot extension 24 as shown in Figure 4; place the contact pin 2| on one part of the electrical circuit or dea vice to be tested, and then extend the element 28 to the desired extent and electrically engage the same with a second part of the circuit or device under test. As a result the circuit through the lamp bulb ill will, if the device under test is in .0 good working order, be completed to indicate such condition of the device under test. Obviously, should under such circumstances the incandescent bulb l0 fail to light, the user will readily appreciate the fact that the device under test is not in '5 proper working order.

In connection with the above it will thus be seen that through the instrumentality of the contact pin 2 ly and the member 28, the circuit through the lamp may be completed independently of the switch l3 and that also switch l3 may be operated independently to control the circuit through the lamp bulb.

It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction utility and advantages of an invention of this character will be had without a more detailed description.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

A testing attachment for a flashlight compris- 5o ing an elongated tubular part attached to the case of nonconducting material of the flashlight,

a part connected to said tubular member and passing through said case and contacting a part on the lamp socket of the flashlight, said tubular member having an elongated slot therein formed nected with the metal rear cap of the flashlight, with angular end parts, a rod for engaging a. part a spring actuated reel in said housing and a metal of the device to be tested when the rod is protape carried by the reel and passing tnrougha slot jected, said rod being s'lidabiy arranged in the in the housing, said tape being adapted to be 5 tubular member, a pin on the rod sliding in the contacted with anotherpart of the device to be 6 slot and engaging the annular parts for holding tested. the rod ineither projected position or in a posi- JOSEPH ELLSWORTH HOFFMAN. tion within the tubular member, a housing con- 

